The Venezuelan authorities have not offered information about their legal situation nor have they allowed consular assistance to Colombians detained in the country. Some families denounce forced disappearance, judicial obstacles and lack of access to detainees. Colombia claims to have raised diplomatic claims before the administration of Nicolás Maduro
The Foreign Ministry of Colombia reported that 35 Colombian citizens were arrested in Venezuela after the presidential elections of 2024 and denounced that “the Venezuelan authorities do not grant information about the legal situation, the crimes for which they are processed, the judicial authority assigned to know their causes, the place where they are held and their capture date, nor is the corresponding consular consulted assistance authorized.”
The information was announced by lawyer Andrés Soto through his X accountafter consulting the Foreign Ministry in the case of Colombians imprisoned in the country.
Unofficially, it was known that some of the Colombians detained in the country remain held in Rodeo I; But they insist that the entry of officials of the Embassy and the Consulate to that jail is denied.
They also denounced that the whereabouts of the women of Colombia imprisoned in Venezuela is unknown, the exact amount of women arrested is not known.
Similarly, families have found obstacles in justice, despite having hired private defense, access to information has been denied.
*Also read: relatives of Colombians detained in Venezuela ask for “firm and urgent support” to Petro
Last May, the Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners (CLIPPVE) said that Colombians imprisoned in Venezuela were more than eight months under the status of forced disappearance until last 15 of that month that the relatives were allowed brief communication with the detainees.
Previously, specifically on May 5, the second secretary of the Colombian Embassy in Venezuela, John Rodríguez, received a clippve document in which Gustavo Petro’s administration was required to intercede for the release of Colombians, Colombo-Venezuelans and Venezuelan political prisoners in the country.
At that time, Rodríguez assured the relatives of the detainees that Colombia “has obtained nationally and internationally” to mediate for the release of these people.
The ambassador to Venezuela, Milton Rengifo, informed that he had tried to enter one of the penitentiary centers for toilet and personal hygiene kits; who have sent 18 verbal notes to the Maduro Administration asking for information about the detainees and have demanded that they are allowed periodic visit, communication with their relatives and consular assistance. “
On the other hand, the Foreign Ministry of Colombia indicated that “they do not recognize the electoral results in Venezuela” For not providing guarantees to the participants, or having carried out a transparent process in accordance with the Venezuelan laws: “They were not free elections,” they answered the questions of lawyer Andrés Soto.
*Journalism in Venezuela is exercised in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments arranged for the punishment of the word, especially the laws “against hatred”, “against fascism” and “against blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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